A new art installation is coming to downtown Naperville this fall.
Naperville ArtForum: Partnership for Public Arts has finalized a contract for an exhibit called “LOTUS” to be displayed in the Paddleboat Quarry.
The Naperville Park Board approved the installation at its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13.
LOTUS display in Naperville
LOTUS, by French artist Nicolas Paolozzi from MODULE, will make its U.S. debut in Naperville from September 26 to October 24.
The exhibit features a collection of large lotus flowers that open and close in response to light and movement.
“It’s a tribute to nature, with humans reduced in scale before these giant flowers,” Paolozzi said.
The Naperville display will feature six structures in the Paddleboat Quarry at 441 Aurora Ave. The structures will be roughly 13 feet wide by 11 feet high and sit on floating docks.
“In Naperville, the lotus flowers will be arranged on water, which will act as a natural mirror and heighten the installation’s visual impact,” Paolozzi said.
Responding to sunlight, the flowers will open at dawn as the sun rises and close at sunset, ArtForum Treasurer Erin Franczyk said. The installation will be lit after sunset until 10 p.m.
“For ArtForum, I think this project is a great representation of good collaboration,” said Franczyk. The project is a partnership with the Naperville Park District, the Naperville Riverwalk, Wireframe Public Art Agency and MODULE.
Photo from a LOTUS display. The Naperville exhibit will feature the large lotus flowers in the Paddleboat Quarry. Photo courtesy: Nicolas Paolozzi.
LOTUS to replace Light Anemones
LOTUS will replace the initial Light Anemones display planned, which fell through this spring due to a miscommunication between the artist and local organizers.
ArtForum had intended for Light Anemones to be on display for two weeks from late October to early November 2026. However, German artist Matt Kebbel said he was unaware of the project until he saw an article about it in the Naperville Sun.
ArtForum, out of respect for the artist, agreed to pull the project.
Wireframe, a public art agency based in Canada, initially helped ArtForum find Kebbel’s work. When ArtForum was looking for a new installation, the agency suggested that the nonprofit reach out to MODULE about their LOTUS exhibit, said Franczyk, who has been coordinating with Wireframe for LOTUS and previous exhibits.
“Things happen, and then the universe delivers other opportunities,” Franczyk said. “We are thrilled that, working collaboratively with the Park District and Riverwalk, we are able to bring LOTUS to Naperville and that the installation is a much longer run and that Naperville will host the first U.S. installation of this amazing work.”
Community support for LOTUS
ArtForum received a $65,000 grant from the city’s Special Events and Community Arts program for the installation. Franczyk said they are looking to raise an additional $10,000 for the project.
ArtForum is also seeking volunteers, especially individuals with construction experience, to help build the floating docks for the installation.
Naperville to be first LOTUS display in the U.S.
Naperville’s LOTUS exhibit will be Paolozzi’s first U.S. display. He said that he hopes to continue expanding his work internationally.
“I’m delighted to be exhibiting in the U.S. for the first time,” Paolozzi said. “It’s always a pleasure to discover and exhibit in a new country.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the first U.S. presentation of LOTUS to Naperville. We hope it gives visitors a sense of awe and creates memories for families and friends who experience it together,” Franczyk said.
Photos courtesy of Nicolas Paolozzi
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